Our 16-year-old son stayed at Embark Behavioral Health for one month last year. Looking back, we have mixed emotions. One disturbing incident was the vandalism of his room - someone urinated on his towel. He felt unsafe due to a flimsy door hanger that offered no privacy or ...
About Embark Behavioral Health – Independence
Embark Behavioral Health in Independence, Missouri, is an inpatient rehabilitation treatment center for boys, girls, and LGBTQ+ youths ages 12 through 18. The secluded campus offers therapy, academics, and life skills education in an environment structured to be “home-like.” Most clients stay for an average of 90 days.
The center is accredited by The Joint Commission and Cognia. They treat ADHD, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, and depression.
Behavioral issues treated include oppositional defiant disorder, out of control behavior, reactive attachment disorder, substance use, substance use co-occurring with mental health issues, and suicidal ideation. Your child’s therapist will be able to treat your child by gaining the child’s trust and cultivating empathy.
Residential Substance Use Treatment
Residential treatment is chosen for youth exhibiting serious emotional or behavioral issues. Youth who need intensive mental health services and cannot live safely at home should be admitted to a residential program.
Being in a residential treatment program will remove your teen from triggering stresses so that they can heal. Your child will be supervised 24/7 to ensure safety. It’s neat that the center resembles a log cabin so it’s not so clinical, with a stone fireplace and plenty of outdoor space.
Family Involvement During Treatment
We would never want to send our child into an environment where we have no contact with our kids and can’t visually see conditions and the wellbeing of our children. The center brings in family two to three hours per week for therapy and will call you with frequent updates and ask you to complete a survey about your opinion of the program.
Culturally sensitive services are offered for treatment. Your child will never be restrained, secluded, or confined. Removal of food, shelter, hygiene, or bedding is never used as disciplinary measures. Staff commit to never frighten, humiliate, or cause physical discomfort or pain.
Fact checked and written by:
Kimberly Hawkins, MSc
Edited by:
Peter Lee, PhD
Latest Reviews
My daughter was at this facility for almost three months. In that time she got sober and was able to open up emotionally unlike in the past. She also learned independence skills an gained some confidence in her own abilities. I am thankful for embark and the impact they had on my daughter. Anytime I had a problem it was addressed immediately: I would recommend this facility to any parent who has a teen who struggles with their behaviors or addiction. I was thankful to have finally found a place that could help my child without feeding her Psychotropic meds like a mental facility this is nothing like A mental institution. It’s more like a camp that wants better for your child and teaches your child to want better for themselves at the same time.
Wonderful place for my 16 year old daughter. Staff did everything right from billing to therapy to activities. I would give them 10 stars if I could.
I just had to stop in and write a review for Embark in Independence MO. Last winter, my son needed residential treatment as it was no longer safe for him to be in home. After exploring various options, Embark was the only program that would take him, and only on a trial basis. As a family, we were hoping for a brief respite and then planned to bring him home and get back to it. Most surprising though, was that the young man we brought home made more progress in that 90 days than we would have ever dreamed possible!
We brought him home about a month ago. Before Embark, he was having meltdowns and needing to be physcially restrained at school multiple times per week for his safety as well as everyone else's.
Since he has been home...
At home and in the community, not a single meltdown.
At school, the same.
No holds, no issues. He is focused on his school work, and not distracted by dysregulated classmates. He is walking away from situations that previously would have triggered him into physical violence. He has actively opposed bullying at his school, putting into practice the skills that he learned and saw modeled in the millieu.
At home, he no longer goes from 0 to 100 without warning. He is able to walk away. He can tolerate frustration. I could give numerous examples - but needless to say, we are beyond grateful!
Embark worked with him on medication changes, therapeutic instruction, and training in the millieu of students - and what they did made a signficant and positive impact in the life of our son and our family. This young man that we brought home from Embark has grown leaps and bounds in emotional maturity beyond what I would have dreamed was possible in such a short time.
Placing your kid in residential is an impossibly difficult decision for any parent. But at this place, the phenomenal people and program are making a difference! And our family is forever grateful.
Response from the owner1 week ago
Thank you for sharing your incredible experience! We are thrilled to hear about the positive progress your son has made since his time at Embark. We are dedicated to providing effective treatment and support for our clients and their families. We appreciate your kind words and wish your son continued success. 
Rehab Score
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5.6 / 10
Location
Addiction Treatments
Levels of Care
Designed for individuals who don't require 24/7 monitoring, a partial hospitalization program (PHP) provides intensive-level treatment while allowing you to stay at home. PHP treatment typically requires a commitment of at least 20 hours of treatment per week for an average duration of 90 days. Services commonly offered in PHP include medication management and evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Insurance coverage for PHP treatment may vary depending on your provider.
Treatments
Specialized dual-diagnosis addiction treatment programs in Missouri include inpatient residential rehab, outpatient, intensive outpatient, detox, and partial hospitalization programs. Offering a full continuum of care, their clinicians have the expertise to treat individuals with co-occurring substance use disorder and mental health conditions at the same time. The benefits of dual-diagnosis treatment are enhanced recovery outcomes, improved overall health and well-being, and it equips individuals with the information and skills required to sustain long-term sobriety.
Inpatient treatment provides mental health services with residency in the rehab facility for the duration of treatment. During treatment, you'll likely participate in evidence-based therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), medication management, and skill development – all under the guidance of an expert mental health therapist. By focusing on both aspects of your mental health and treating your addiction, you'll gain vital skills to cope with cravings, manage stress, and prevent relapse. Family therapy or mindfulness training may also be available, which helps to improve mental health.
Clinical Services
The goal of cognitive behavioral therapy in Missouri is to help clients change their thinking and behavioral patterns. Strategies of treatment include role playing, facing fears, and calming techniques.
Accreditations
The Joint Commission, formerly known as JCAHO, is a nonprofit organization that accredits rehab organizations and programs. Founded in 1951, the Joint Commision's mission is to improve the quality of patient care and demonstrating the quality of patient care.
Joint Commission Accreditation: Yes
Contact Information
3205 N Twyman Rd
Independence, MO 64058
Get Help Now - 816-892-9904
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